FOOD HISTORY TIMELINE
1895 to 18991895 Carl Peter Henrik Dam was born. Dam was a Danish biochemist who co-discovered vitamin K in 1939. 1895 Henry D. Perky received U.S. patent No. 548,086 for Shredded Wheat. Whole wheat is boiled, dried, pressed into thin shreds and finally baked. Perky presented his machine for producing 'shredded wheat' at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois in 1893. 1895 Asa Candler of Atlanta boasts that "Coca-Cola is now sold in every state of the Union." 1895 African American inventor, Robert H. Gray, of Lexington, Kentucky, received U.S. patent No. 537,151 for a 'Cistern Cleaner.' 1895 Michael Joseph Owens of Toledo, Ohio patented an automatic glass blowing machine that could make multiple bottles at the same time. A big advance in bottle making. He founded the Owens Bottle Machine Co., and the Libbey-Owens Glass Company. 1895 Purdy and Peters were issued a patent for a "design for spoons." 1895 African American inventor Joseph Lee patented a machine for "bread crumbing." It was intended for use by restaurants to crumb large quantities of bread scraps. 1895 Jack Dempsey was born. Regarded as one of the greatest boxers, he held the world heavyweight title from 1919 to 1926. He then became a successful restaurateur in New York City. 1895 Louis Pasteur died. A French scientist, who showed that microorganisms were responsible for disease, food spoilage and fermentation. He developed the process for killing these organisms by heat, called Pasteurization. 1895 Alexandre Dumaine was born (died April 2, 1974). One of the most decorated French chefs. Proprietier of 3 Michelin star Hôtel de la Côte-d'Or. Author with Henry Clos Jouve of 'Ma Cuisnie' (1972). 1895 The first shipment of canned pineapple left Hawaii
1895 New York state passed a law establishing free public baths for the "promotion of public health and comfort". 1895 Jell-O was created. In 1845, Peter Cooper, inventor and founder of the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, obtained the first American patent for the manufacture of gelatin. In 1895, cough syrup manufacturer Pearl B. Wait purchased the patent and developed a packaged gelatin dessert. Wait's wife, May David Wait named it "Jell-O." 1895 C.W. Post of Battle Creek, Michigan introduced Postum Food Coffee, a coffee substitute made from wheat, bran and molasses. 1895 Rudolph Boysen was born. He developed the boysenberry, a raspberry-blackberry hybrid in 1923. 1895 Gennaro Lombardi opened the first pizzeria in the U.S. in New York City. 1895 Lever Brothers registered the 'Lifebuoy' trademark (soap). 1895 Cordon Bleu school of cooking was founded in Paris by Marthe Distell to teach cooking to upper class women. 1895 Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented his method for making peanut butter. 1895 Fredrick E. Blaisdell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania received 1st U.S. patent (No. 549,952) for a paper pencil (paper-wrapped crayons or marking lead with a pull-string to reveal more lead). 1895 George L. Brownell of Worcester, Massachusetts was issued patent No. 551,615 for a "machine for making paper twine." 1895 The Anti-Saloon League's of Ohio and Washington D.C. joined to form the National Anti-Saloon League (later, the Anti-Saloon League of America). 1895 Volleyball (originally called 'Mintonette') is invented by William G. Morgan, the physical education director at the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts. 1895 Lever Brothers Ltd. registered 'Lifebuoy' soap trademark. 1896 John W. Hunter of Tabor, Iowa received patent for a 'Portable Weighing-Scale' 1896 The first public beach in the nation opened in Revere, Massachusetts. The newly-created Metropolitan Parks Commission had taken over the longest natural beach in the Boston area and built a broad boulevard, an elegant public bathhouse, shade pavilions, and a bandstand. 1896 Harvey Hubbell of Bridgeport, Connecticut received U.S. patent No. 565,541 for an on/off pull-chain electric light 'Socket For Incandescent Lamps.' The design is still popular today. 1896 The New York State Legislature passed Raines Law, which restricted the sale of alcohol on Sundays. However, Manhattan hotels with at least 10 rooms were allowed to sell alcohol on Sunday accompanied by a meal or in hotel bedrooms. Numerous saloons proceeded to add small furnished rooms and applied for hotel licenses. 1896 Charles B. Brooks of Newark, New Jersey was issued U.S. patent No. 560,154 for a dust proof bag for street sweepers. 1896 Spreckels Sugar Company (beet sugar) was incorporated in Salinas, California. 1896 'Lava' soap trademark was registered by William Waltke & Co. of St. Louis, Missouri. 1896 William S. Hadaway received U.S. patent No. 563,032 for an electric stove. 1896 Caesar Cardini was born in Italy. Chef and restaurateur in the U.S. and Mexico, he is credited with creating the Caesar Salad at his restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico in the 1920s. 1896 Louis Bromfield was born. American conservationist and author. His innovative work continues to influence agricultural methodologies around the world. 1896 George Washington Ferris died. He developed the first Ferris Wheel for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois (1893). 1896 Rural Free Delivery (RFD) begins.
1896 Michelob beer was introduced by Anheuser-Busch Brewery. 1896 A Porterville farmer named Mr. Bearss brought pomegranate cuttings from Florida to California and began propagating them. This variety was sweeter and juicier than the others, so he aptly named it the Wonderful variety. 1896 Alfred Ely Beach died. American inventor and publisher of ‘Scientific American’ magazine. 1896 'The Boston Cooking School Cook Book' is published, later known as the 'Fannie Farmer Cook Book.' 1896 Leo Hirshfield introduced the Tootsie Roll at his small store in New York City, and named it after his 5 year old daughter, whose nickname was 'Tootsie.' It was the first individually wrapped penny candy. 1896 Clement A. Hardy of Dallas, Texas received U.S. patent no. 556,972 for the rotary disk plow. 1896 Opening day of the first modern Olympic games in Athens, Greece. The last Olympics were held more than 1,500 years ago. 1896 According to some stories, the Chinese-American dish, chop suey, was created in New York City by Cantonese chef, Li Hung-Chang 1896 Charles Glen King was born. King was a biochemist who discovered vitamin C in 1932. He extracted and isolated it from lemon juice. 1896 John T. White was issued U.S. patent No. 572,849 for an improved lemon squeezer.
1896 The Northrup-King Seed Company was founded in Minnesota. 1896 Harriet Beecher Stowe died on July 1. Sister of Catherine Beecher. Harriet was an American abolitionist and author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' (1852). She was also co-author with her sister Catherine of 'The American Woman's Home: Or, Principles Of Domestic Science; Being A Guide To The Formation And Maintenance Of Economical, Healthful, Beautiful, And Christian Homes' (1869). 1896 May 14: The coldest May temperature ever recorded in the U.S. lower 48 states: Minus 10 F at Climax, Colorado. 1896 Miami, Florida was officially incorporated as a city, population about 300. 1896 Gold was discovered in Rabbit Creek, near Dawson, in the Yukon region of Canada, by George Carmack, his wife Kate, Skookum Jim Mason and Tagish Charlie. (It is not clear who actually made the discovery). 1896 The Detroit Convention and Business Mens' League was formed to attract convention business to Detroit, Michigan. 1897 'Grape Nuts' cereal goes on sale for the first time. 1897 Fernand Point was born (died March 5, 1955). Well known French Chef and restaurateur. His restaurant La Pyramide was considered by many to be the greatest in the world. Paul Bocuse, Louis Outhier, Alain Chapel and Jean and Pierre Troisgros all trained under Point, and he is considered to be the father of modern French Cuisine. 1897 In Germany, Dr. Felix Hoffmann created the first chemically pure form of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).
1897 Henry J. Heinz registered 'Heinz' trademark. 1897 George Mortimer Pullman died (born March 3, 1831). American engineer and industrialist. He designed and manufactured the Pullman sleeping car for railroads. 1897 Ettore "Hector" Boiardi was born (died 1985). Better known as Chef Boyardee. 1897 Howard Deering Johnson was born Feb 2 (1972). Founder of Howard Johnson's chain of restaurants and motels. 1897 The famous editorial 'Is There a Santa Claus' reply to 8 year old Virginia O'Hanlon letter appeared in the New York Sun on Sept 21. (See article: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus) 1897 Tea Importation Act passed, the first U.S. law regulating food products. 1897 Alfred L. Cralle of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, patented an "Ice-Cream Mold and Disher" (ice cream scoop). His basic design is still used. 1897 Dr. John Kellogg served cornflakes for the first time to his patients at his hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. They wouldn't be sold commercially until 1906. 1897 Victor Mills was born. He was a chemical engineer who worked for Proctor & Gamble. He improved Duncan Hines cake mixes, improved Jif peanut buter, and invented Pampers disposable diapers. 1897 Jell-O was introduced. (see also 1895)
1897 In Switzerland, Karl Elsener registered the design of the Swiss Army Knife (Officer's & Sports Knive) for trademark protection. The innovative knife had tools that opened from both ends of the handle. 1897 Juliet Corson died. Librarian, cookery teacher and writer, founder of the New York Cooking School in 1876. Her books include 'Cooking Manual' (1877), 'Twenty-five Cent Dinners for Families of Six' (1878), and 'Miss Corson's Practical American Cookery' (1886). 1897 The largest sturgeon was caught, 1,387 pounds, in the Fraser River. 1897 Edmond Rostand's romantic, dramatic play 'Cyarano de Bergerac' premiers in Paris. A unique combination of love, swordplay, comedy, pathos and proboscis. 1897 Campbell's Soup invents condensed soup. 1897 The J.M. Smucker Company was founded in 1897 when the Company's namesake and founder sold his first product — apple butter — from the back of a horse-drawn wagon. He used an old family recipe and hand-signed every package as his personal guarantee of quality. (www.smuckers.com) 1897 John Lee Love of Fall River, Massachusetts received patent No. 594,114 for the simple portable pencil sharpener, the same type still used today. 1897 Deere and Co. registered 'John Deere' trademark.
1897 The Waldorf-Astoria opened (the combined Waldorf and Astoria hotels). It was the largest in the world at the time with 1,300 rooms. 1897 Black American inventor Peter Walker was issued a U.S. patent # 577,153 for a 'Machine for Cleaning Seed-Cotton' 1897 Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst founded the National Congress of Mothers, forerunner of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), in Washington, D.C. 1897 Adelaide Hunter Hoodless founds the Federation of Women's Institutes of Canada which promotes pasteurization of milk as one of its main projects. 1897 The Dow Chemical Company incorporated to sell bleach on commercial scale. 1897 John Lee Love of Fall River, Massachusetts received patent No. 594,114 for the simple portable pencil sharpener, the same type still used today. 1898 Entenmann's baked goods are introduced by Brooklyn, N.Y. baker, William Entenmann. Fresh-baked goods home delivered by horse-drawn wagon. 1898 Cesar Ritz opens the Paris Ritz hotel with Auguste Escoffier as Chef. 1898 Cornelius Hoagland died (born 1828). Co-founder of Royal Baking Powder Company in 1866 with his brother Joseph Christoffel Hoagland. 1898 In New York state, the first U.S. college of forestry was created at Cornell University. 1898 At his pharmacy in New Bern, North Carolina, Caleb D. Bradham renamed his new soft drink ‘Pepsi-Cola.’ His customers had been calling it ‘Brad's Drink' 1898 After a close vote on a Canadian national referendum on the prohibition of alcoholic beverages, the government takes no action (278,380 for, 264,693 against). 1898 Hawaii was formally annexed to the United States
1898 Cornelius Hoagland died. Co-founder of Royal Baking Powder Company in 1866 with his brother Joseph Christoffel Hoagland. 1898 Clementine Paddleford was born (died Nov 13, 1967). American cookbook author and food columnist for numerous publications including NY Herald Tribune, NY Sun, NY Telegram; Gourmet and This Week magazines. 1898 Post Grape Nuts are introduced by C. W. Post of Battle Creek, Michigan. (There are no grapes of nuts in Grape Nuts). 1898 Charles Lutwidge Dodgson died. Dodgson's pen name was Lewis Carroll. He was an English mathematician and creator of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alice had a habit of eating and drinking unknown substances. 1898 Rudolf Karl George Friedrich Leuckart died. A German zoologist, a pioneer in the modern study of parasites. He showed that trichinosis was caused by a worm-like parasite. 1898 John Sherman of Worcester, Massachusetts received a patent for the first machine to fold and seal envelopes. 1898 Daniel Gerber of baby food fame was born.
1898 The first vending machine law was passed in Omaha, Nebraska. 1898 Atlantic City, NJ opened its Steel Pier (boardwalk). The world-famous Steel Pier had 9 miles of food, beverages, concessions, amusements, concerts, etc. Ed McMahon, of the Johnny Carson Show and Publisher's Clearing House fame, was a barker on the pier in his youth. 1898 Waldo Lonsbury Semon was born. Semon was an American Inventor who is credited with the invention of Vinyl. Vinyl is the 2nd most used plastic in the world. Semon held over 100 patents. 1898 William S. Burroughs died. An American inventor, Burroughs invented and manufactured the first adding machine with a printer. 1898 Caleb D. Bradham, a New Bern, North Carolina pharmacist created Pepsi-Cola, in imitation of Coca-Cola. (He originally called it Brad’s Drink). see also 1903. 1898 The National Biscuit Company (later to become Nabisco) introduced Uneeda Biscuits and began making Graham Crackers. 1899 Benjamin F. Thomas and Joseph B. Whitehead of Chattanooga, Tennessee acquired the exclusive rights to bottle and sell Coca-Cola in most of the United States (not including the soda fountain business). 1899 Jerome Bonapart Rhodes of Shreveport, Louisiana was granted patent No. 639,290 for "an improvment in waterclosets." 1899 Acetylsalycilic acid ('Aspirin') was patented by Felix Hoffmann (for Friedrich Bayer & Co.) in Berlin, Germany. 1899 Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin of Stuttgart, Germany, received a patent for the Zeppelin, a "Navigable Balloon" 1899 The Tropical Trading & Transport Company merged with rival Boston Fruit Company to form the United Fruit Company. The company traded bananas and other tropical fruit grown in Central and South America. The company is now known as Chiquita Brands International. 1899 Pearl and May Waite sold the rights to Jell-O for $450 to Orator Frank Woodward, the founder Genesee Pure Foods Company. 1899 In Germany, Bayer introduced aspirin in powder form. (see also Feb 27, 1900) 1899 August A. Busch Jr. ('Gussie') was born (died Sept 29, 1989). Grandson of Anheuser-Busch brewery founder Adolphus Busch. 'Gussie' was company chairman from 1946-1975, and he built the company into the largest brewery in world. 1899 Charles Ranhofer died (born 1836). Chef at Delmonico's Restaruant in New York City from 1862 to 1896. Wrote cookbook 'The Epicurean' (1894). 1899 Charles Best was born (died 1978). Co-discoverer in 1921 (with Dr. F. Banting) of the hormone insulin, used to treat diabetes. 1899 Charles A. Pillsbury, flour magnate, died on Sept 17 (born Dec 3, 1842). 1899 Paul Hermann Muller was born. A Swiss chemist who discovered that DDT was a potent insecticide. It was the most widely used insecticide for more than 20 years, and helped to increase food production around the world. Due mainly to its accumulation in animals that eat insects, and its toxic effects on them and those further up the food chain, it has been banned in the U.S. since 1972. However its residue is still found in some foods grown in the U.S. in 2002! 1899 David Misell was issued a U.S. patent for the first battery operated flashlight. 1899 The first dishwashing machine was introduced by Josephine Garis Cochran. It became an award winning success at the 1893 Columbian Exposition, which used her hand operated, mechanical dishwashers in its kitchens. (She patented it on December 28, 1886.) Her company eventually evolved into KitchenAid. 1899 Benjamin F. Jackson patented a gas burner.
1899 Oysters Rockefeller was created by Jules Alciatore, owner of Antoine's Restaurant. 1899 Joseph Christoffel Hoagland died. Co-founder of Royal Baking Powder Company in 1866 with his brother Cornelius Hoagland. 1899 Jerome Bonapart Rhodes of Shreveport, Louisiana was granted patent No. 639,290 for "an improvment in waterclosets." 1899 Percy L. Julian was born. An African American chemist, he worked on synthesizing various compounds from soy beans. One of his creations was a foam fire extinguisher refined from soya protein. 1899 Minnesota's all time record low temperature: 59 degrees F below zero at Leech Lake Dam. 1899 U.S. agricultural exports were about $703 million a year during the 1890s (71% of total exports). 1899 The comedy short 'Stealing a Dinner' was filmed by cameraman G.W. 'Billy' Bitzer for the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company. (Mutoscope were 'peephole' motion pictures on cards mounted on a rotating drum turned by hand.)
Library of Congress, America's Library Website 1899 George Cook of Louisville, Kentucky received U.S. patent No. 625,829 for an automatic fishing device. 1899 Black American inventor, James Ricks, was issued U.S. patent No. 626,245 for a rubber overshoe for horses for use in 'sleety weather'. 1899 A.T. Marshall of Brockton, Massachusetts patented a refrigerator 1899 Alfred Hitchcock was born. He was the son of a Leytonstone green grocer. 1899 Carnation began producing evaporated milk (called Carnation Sterlized Cream). 1899 The first motorized vacuum cleaner was patented by John S. Thurman (US patent # 634,042). This "pneumatic carpet renovator" was gasoline powered. 1899 The term 'conspicuous consumption' was coined by Thorstein Veblen in his book 'The Theory of the Leisure Class'.
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